Essex Pest Control share some tips to keep rodent pests such as rats and mice at bay over Christmas – careful disposal of food, at a time when we throw away much more than at other times of year, is vital.

Essex University raised its concerns that the focus on obesity means that those who are underweight are now being overlooked. There was a time when eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia were at the focus on dietary health. However, with do much emphasis on fighting obesity,. underweight conditions are being sidelined. Essex University raised its concerns at the 2013 European Congress…

The reforms to the NHS which healthcare workers have been working towards will finally come to fruition and GPs will take charge of commissioning health services for their patients from 1 April 2013. Primary Care Trusts remain accountable until 31 March 2013, when their functions will be taken over by the newly established NHS Commissioning…

The Chelmsford Medical Centre on New London Road has been saved from closure after a buyer was found. The previously company which was running it went into administration in August 2012 following liquidity problems – they were short of cash. The new managers of the Chelmsford Medical Centre, Aspen Healthcare, have a very healthy cash flow with…

From 1st April 2013 Essex County Council will take over the responsibility of managing health budgets. Currently there are 5 Primary Care Trusts in Essex which manage health spending in Essex for all doctors, pharmacists and opticians. However, these trusts are to be scrapped and replaced by a new Clinical Commissioning Group which is led…

Great news this week for gym goers and fitness enthusiasts in Chelmsford – Riverside Ice & Leisure Centre and Chelmsford Sport & Athletics Centre are both having their gyms updated with larger fitness areas and new equipment. Also, South Woodham Ferrers Leisure Centre is being updated too.

Finally we will be able to exercise when we want. The innovative Gym Group are opening their first 24-hour gym in Chelmsford. Unlike other big commercial gyms there are no contracts, fees are reasonably priced and they manage the gym through a website with an online community. There are also video-linked classes in the fitness studio, 24 hours a day.

Flu is a highly contagious infection that anyone can catch, and it can be a really serious illness for some. Those at greater risk from flu include people aged 65 or over, pregnant women, and those with health conditions such as severe asthma, chest or heart complaints and diabetes.

During October, smokers in South West Essex are being encouraged to take part in the first ever mass quit attempt launched by the Department of Health and supported by Stop Smoking staff at South West Essex Community Services – Stoptober.

NHS South Essex has been shortlisted in the Quality and Productivity category in the Health Service Journal Awards 2012. This has been achieved through effective joint working with Basildon University Hospital, South Essex Partnership Trust (SEPT) and North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) and local authority colleagues.

The NHS in south Essex is encouraging people to get to know their patient rights under the NHS Constitution.

All NHS organisations are legally obliged to take account of the rights and pledges set out in the NHS Constitution, which are at the foundation of NHS South Essex’s principles and values. Moreover, the new Clinical Commissioning Groups are committed to upholding the NHS Constitution as they take over the commissioning of healthcare in south Essex.

The NHS reported 2011 that people who attended a slimming club lost twice as much weight over a year as those who received the standard advice from their GP to eat healthier and exercise more. The report followed the publication of a research paper in The Lancet. There are many well-known weight loss groups operating in Essex, so find a group today.